Level on Power Word: Disarm?
- Thread starter Whizbang Dustyboots
- Start date
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
OK, here are the two versions of the spell, one a cantrip inspired by Harry Potter (thus the focus) and the other a new Power Word. Feedback appreciated. Thanks for all the help and suggestions so far. 
Disarm
Enchantment (Compulsion)
Level: Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: One living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a flick of your wand and a single magic word, you cause the subject to drop whatever it is holding.
Focus: A wand
Power Word Disarm
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: One living creature with 100 hp or less
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
You utter a single word of power that instantly disarms one creature of your choice, whether the creature can hear the word or not, causing the subject to drop whatever it is holding.
For each character level above the subject's character level, the dropped items travel 5 feet in a random direction. See the diagram on page 158 of the Player's Handbook to determine what direction the items are flung.
Any creature that currently has 101 or more hit points is unaffected by power word disarm.
Disarm
Enchantment (Compulsion)
Level: Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: One living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a flick of your wand and a single magic word, you cause the subject to drop whatever it is holding.
Focus: A wand
Power Word Disarm
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: One living creature with 100 hp or less
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
You utter a single word of power that instantly disarms one creature of your choice, whether the creature can hear the word or not, causing the subject to drop whatever it is holding.
For each character level above the subject's character level, the dropped items travel 5 feet in a random direction. See the diagram on page 158 of the Player's Handbook to determine what direction the items are flung.
Any creature that currently has 101 or more hit points is unaffected by power word disarm.
Wolffenjugend
First Post
Although it seems less powerful than command (b/c it only disarms), I'd still leave it a 1st-lvl spell. Otherwise, next thing you know everyone will be spending all their 0-lvl spells on Disarm and every BBEG with a bad Will save will be fumbling their weapons constantly. Someone just needs to ready themselves to pick up the weapon when the BBEG drops it and say goodbye to the BBEG's primary fighting ability (re: weapon focus, spec., etc.).
No offense, but I'd just use the Command spell ("disarm!") and the disarming ability of the Telekinesis spell. Why create new spells when they're just duplicating existing ones?
Edit: Command does exactly what you're 0-lvl spell does with the Drop selection.
No offense, but I'd just use the Command spell ("disarm!") and the disarming ability of the Telekinesis spell. Why create new spells when they're just duplicating existing ones?
Edit: Command does exactly what you're 0-lvl spell does with the Drop selection.
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Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
Well, Command is also a cleric spell, and it's a better one, in that it has flexibility -- the sorcerer or wizard who prepares Disarm has no other choice of what to do with the spell.
Likewise, the 1st level Grease spell is better, since the item can't be picked up again for a number of rounds equal to the caster's level.
Disarm is worse than both of these, although I see your point about it being arguably better than the rest of the level 0 spells.
EDIT: As for why a new spell, I'm trying to model Harry Potter spells for use in a theoretical Redhurst campaign.
Likewise, the 1st level Grease spell is better, since the item can't be picked up again for a number of rounds equal to the caster's level.
Disarm is worse than both of these, although I see your point about it being arguably better than the rest of the level 0 spells.
EDIT: As for why a new spell, I'm trying to model Harry Potter spells for use in a theoretical Redhurst campaign.
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Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
Wolffenjugend, would changing Disarm's saving throw to Fortitude (and thus making it much less powerful against warrior types) resolve any of your concerns about the spell?
the Jester
Legend
I definitely feel that it's too good for a cantrip.
Even being less versatile than command or grease.
I'd change the power word in two ways: I'd make the distance flung depend on your caster level; and I'd lower the hp cap to 75 if you're going to make it a 4th level spell.
Even being less versatile than command or grease.
I'd change the power word in two ways: I'd make the distance flung depend on your caster level; and I'd lower the hp cap to 75 if you're going to make it a 4th level spell.
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